Comedian, writer, performer, mother, founding member of The Groundlings, original SNL cast member, voice-over artist, and all-around swell lady Laraine Newman is plugging into the world of podcasts.
Find out why Laraine is maybe beginning to grow a sixth finger, and how she feels that new media is empowering performers today.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH COMEDY DEATH RAY AND POP MY CULTURE?
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| The Silent Movie Theatre
611 North Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles
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One of the ongoing events was Comedy Death Ray which involved a different guest each week, interviewed by Scott Aukerman. The guest would select a movie that was either influential in their lives, or simply one of their favorite movies. Patton Oswalt, Bob Odenkirk, Al Yankovic and Fred Armisen were the people Lena wanted me to see with her. We loved these events and got to know Scott. Eventually, he asked me to be on his radio show and that is how I was on Comedy Death Ray.
I got involved with Pop My Culture because I knew Cole Stratton from Sketchfest in San Francisco. I've done Sketchfest twice now and I really think Cole and Janet Varney are incredibly original and talented kids. That's right, I said kids, by crackey!
DO YOU LISTEN TO ANY PODCASTS RIGHT NOW?
I really don't listen to podcasts regularly, although I suppose if I were to simply look at them as comedy albums and download them on iTunes, I'd be playing them in my car. But, I always regarded them as a foreign modality that I wasn't brought up with. I thought I was supposed to sit at my computer and listen to them and I could never sit still for that.It's just now beginning to dawn on me that I'm not constrained in that way, so now I'm looking forward to investigating some of them. I like Paul F. Tompkins' show, but mind you, I'd seen him at UCB first.
The same with Jimmy Pardo. I really, really like him so now, I want to check out Never Not Funny. And then, there's Cole and Scott. Yay!
WOULD YOU CONSIDER CREATING A PODCAST?
I would never rule it out, but it would be an evolutionary stage for me. I'm more of a writer/performer, and I haven't checked out the form enough to understand it and come up with something of my own. I'd have to grow that sixth finger and expand my brain pan like that guy on the Star Trek pilot. Too old, the reference? Aw, fuckit.
HOW DO YOU THINK THAT PODCASTING AND SOCIAL MEDIA ARE IMPACTING PERFORMERS?
Jesus Christ, the possibilities are staggering. First of all, just the ability to promote yourself, alone, is such an awe-inspiring tool. But, as an instrument to expand and showcase any creative urge you want to explore, it just makes you want to weep. People can and do make their own shows. In their entirety. What this means financially and creatively improves the lot in life for the writer/performer. Our hats are not so firmly shoved in our hands.
© 2010 CHRISTINE E. TAYLOR
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